Laptop catches fire on US flight, passenger treated after landing

A passenger received medical treatment after a laptop caught fire aboard an American Airlines flight from Atlanta to Dallas, US media reported.

American Airlines Flight 2398, an Airbus A321, landed safely at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in Texas on Friday.

According to audio obtained by the BBC’s US reporting partner CBS News, the pilot reported a “cabin fire” at the rear of the aircraft and said flight attendants were attempting to contain it. The pilot initially reported that several passengers may have been burned.

American Airlines said the flight landed safely after smoke was detected from a customer’s device during landing. Emergency personnel met the aircraft at the gate as a precaution, and one passenger was treated at the scene and later released.

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warns that lithium-ion batteries, including those used in laptops, can overheat if damaged, exposed to water, overcharged or improperly packed. The regulator recorded 58 verified incidents involving lithium batteries, including smoke, fire or extreme heat, so far this year.

The FAA requires spare lithium batteries to be carried in carry-on baggage rather than checked luggage.

The incident comes amid growing concerns over lithium battery-related fires on aircraft, particularly involving power banks and other portable electronic devices.

SKS